Anoushik

American Atheism "Whether or not the Bible is pornographic literature is only a side issue. Let us see what the Idealist camp features. The church teaches a contempt for earthly life and that to reach some imagined "heaven" is the main goal of life. And, significantly, the church teaches that this goal can be achieved only as the reward for obedience and meekness. The church threatens the wrath of God and the torment of hell for those who dare to oppose its teaching. But Materialism liberates us, teaches us not to hope for happiness beyond the grave but to prize life on earth and strive always to improve it. Materialism restores to man his dignity and his intellectual integrity. Man is not a worm condemned to crawl in the dust, but a human being capable of mastering the forces of nature and making them serve him. Materialism compels faith in the human intellect, in the power of knowledge in man's ability to fathom all the secrets of nature and to create a social system based upon reason and justice. Materialism's faith is in man and his ability to transform the world by his own efforts. It is a philosophy in every essence optimistic, life-asserting, and radiant. It considers the struggle for progress as a moral obligation, and impossible without noble ideals that inspire men to struggle, to perform bold, creative work."

Oh, please mx5... could you be more ignorant? You have generalized the blacks way too much. If you're talking about all the blacks as a group I could as well talk about all the whites, which include Europeans and Middle Easterners. Please stop this ignorance and rethink about what you write.

What's the matter guys? Do I smell jealousy???

Davo, you're right. (I'll type in English, it's sooo much faster for me.) But if an "otar" guy is into Armenian causes and interested about his wife's background then he'll actually help with trying to raise Armenian kids. Of course it's hard finding "otars" like that but it's possible. There is an Armenian online magazine that I was introduced to from this forum, and the editors are actually English who married Armenian women, moved to Armenia and created the magazine to raise money for the poor in Armenia. Oops, I am getting totally off topic here, but I hope it's OK.

Davo, mecamasnutyamp chist es asum, baci txu u axchka tarberutiunitc kez het hamadzain em. Im karcikov ete hay@ chist hay e, kap chuni txa te axchik, ira erexan hay km@na. Mtacum es eli ckces. Chnayats yes mtadir chem otari het amusnanalu, ete amusnanam el kes havatasnum em vor im erexaner@ hay kmnan.

Well, ab134 I think that the attraction for me is more than physical. I am very much into Armenian causes, and as an Armenian I've been through a lot that I think only another Armenian would really understand. So if I see an attractive guy, no matter his nationality, of course I realize that he's very good looking (like I said blacks are very good looking) but as soon as I realize that he wouldn't understand me - even without having talked to him (a little unfair, I know) - the attraction just goes away. Hmm... it's very interesting for me also, since I thought every Armenian would feel this way, but among my friends I am the only one who's just attracted to Armenians. (And it's really sad, too, since all the Armenians around me are very "rabiz". )

As I was "conditioned" from my upbringing to just have relationships with Armenian guys, I only find myself attracted to Armenians. But I think black guys in general are very good looking. They have very beautiful, well-defined facial structure and big, sorrowful eyes that seem to look right into you.

Wow... thanks, Rouben. I really enjoyed your works!

Not to mention, their music is garbage. GARBAGE. Period. No educated person should respect himself if he listens to that music. But then again, who is educated nowadays?

No wonder people have stepped on us for centuries, and taken our lands, and massacred our people. It's because we keep saying love your enemies. Accept them. But we can't stand criticizing ourselves. What a weird people we are...

See, Angel, that's the problem. We Armenians don't like conflict and easily accept what is fed to us. We are too damn tolerant. Too damn tolerant and don't have enough pride to reject their music - even if we like it - just for the sake that the issues between the Turks and the Armenians are unresolved.

Angel, my point is that you can listen to whatever music you want to, no one should tell you what you should listen to, but since we have enemies, it's not nice to drive around in LA with loud Arabic and Turkish music and then claim that we are proud to be Armenians and we hate Turks.

lol... Angel, you know very well that Armenians do shake their "butty" to Arabic music.

Angel, congratulations, a very nice and clear post. Even though you are talking to Gamavor, I'd still like to respond. You said we should be open-minded and appreciate other cultures. Well, I'd like to reverse that argument. I think listening to Arabic music is the opposite of open-mindedness. All of you in today's Armenian pop culture have narrowed down your choices of music preference to just music influenced with Muslim culture. How about this of narrow-mindedness when you listen to a music in a language that you don't understand?

Angel, I don't think it would be much of a sacrifice to give up Turkish and "rabiz" music. "Rabiz" music is extremely simple music, easily accessible - there is nothing there. The musical phrase keeps repeating, so that God fordid, you don't get introduced to a new tune and forget what happened two seconds ago. And the lyrics? Well, there is just z@rrnoz or g@lg@lots. But it's fine, everyone has different preferences. But when, as a nation, you're fighting for something against another country that you can justifiably call your enemy, how can you listen to their music?

Angel, you're right, I don't listen to "rabiz" since "rabiz" also has Turkish and Arabic influences. And most importantly, I could never listen to "rabiz" because it's in extremely bad taste that I would be ashamed to listen to it. We, as Armenians, have to try as much as we can to resist Turkish and Muslim influences because we are not Muslims and we, as a culture are so much more above them. Of course, I am a classical musician so my views are a bit strict for the "general" public. And about the Genocide: You are wrong. The Genocide did take place and we still have a long way to go to bring justice to our ancestors. Part of this means to show to the world that we are different and much more intelligent than our "neighbors". This has nothing to do with dyeing my hair blonde - I am Armenian and am very proud of my brown hair.

Not to be against your preferences in music, Armo and Angel, I do have a question that I want you to answer. Obviously, we have issues with the Turks and the Muslims, right? We all agree on that? Now, since these issues are unresolved and we are still hurting because of it, why would you listen to their music? Even if you do like their music (even though I don't understand why), why not "boycott" the Turkish and Arabic music and influences of their music and culture in our music and culture?

what turns you on? When a man shows respect to every women, not just the woman he is dating or is interested in.

Yes

Actually, I've got to go. I am tired of discussing the same subject with Armenian guys. Unless the upbringing of the Armenian boys changes (and I am sure it is changing now) you guys will be convinced of your stubborn believes that husbands should control their wives. I know that when I am married (to an Armenian of course, no exception) and have a son I will raise my son to be aware of the equal values that both men and women posses and that he should always respect men and women equally.

Ohhh... Then please prove me wrong.

What am I assuming that you've got a problem with?

Please, David, don't turn this around. You know what I mean. Working - as in earning money for a living. Doing laundry and dishes is called home chores. Both men and women should help each other do home chores. (I think you understand me very well, it's just you've got nothing else to argue for.)

Good, David, now we're getting somewhere. If you're in support of your wife working then surely you have to help her at home, doing dishes and laundry. Don't you agree?